Happy Easter!

Senior Pictures - Whitley

Being a Laurel Advisor is so much fun for so many reasons - and one of my favorite perks is getting to take their senior pictures. As I'm building my portfolio, they are so cooperative and fun. Whitley and I went out yesterday before mutual and took some fun shots. Here's a sampling. There are more over at my photography website.

We Can't Wait

Our kiddos are the only grandchildren on Jon's side of the family, so when Rob and Nicole told us they were expecting their first in October, we were so excited. They came in town for conference and grandma's birthday party and being the out-of-towners, it was naturally their turn to hold the baby.

Don't you think they look so comfortable with a cute little boy? I especially love the last picture of Rob covering his ears during something a little bit loud for his tiny ears!

They are going to be fantastic parents and I only wish they lived closer so we could spend more time with them.

Happy Birthday Great Grandma

I couldn't even begin to iterate how highly I revere this woman and how blessed I feel to know her, let alone be part of her family. Since I married into the family, I've adopted Grandma F. as my own- since my sweet grandparents Doc and GG have long since passed.

Last night we had the opportunity to share in her 85th birthday celebration with about 50 close family members. What a legacy she has before her and has built in her own children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Happy birthday Grandma, you truly are great.

She sang for all of us - a beautiful voice from a beautiful spirit.

This is my favorite picture of the night. She looks so peaceful and as if she is closing her eyes and looking into the heavens.

FIRST TOOTH!

Luke lost his first tooth today. He bit into an apple and it popped out...then....he swallowed it. We're writing a letter to the toothfairy to explain the situation, so hopefully she'll still bring him some cash tonight.

Mr. Men Puppet Show

Luke has an assignment to tell a story with a beginning, middle and end for kindergarten this week, so we worked on his visual aids last night. When we were done making the Mr. Men puppets, I asked him to practice his story. He and Harry both told me to go get the puppet show theater and took turns telling us their stories. I think Luke will do a great job tomorrow!

Fun In the Sand

No sun? This Spring, that just doesn't matter to my boys. Harry insisted on wearing shorts yesterday and when we arrived at Grandma and Grandpa's, he ran straight for the sand box. They also played checkers with Grandpa, made stick puppets with me and my mom, and read several of the Mr. Men books with Grandma. They always have so much fun at my folks and last night after we left, Luke said it was one of the best days ever.

I'm Kind Of Addicted...

I've always had an addictive personality, and as a mom, it's been quite a ride watching my addictions take new forms. As a kid, it was mostly sports - gymnastics five hours a day, to 12 high school varsity letters in five different sports - then college athletics. Then mission, school, work, etc... As a mom, it's the need to feel like I'm doing a good job with the kids, the co-op teaching groups for our kids, the house, and whatever I can throw my entire self into. I get it, I am obsessed when I feel strongly about something.

When my friend Megan introduced me to the blogging world, and the land of digital scrapbooking last year, it was no surprise to me how obsessed I became. I love that my blog acts as a journal for me and that I am finally motivated to do a better job at keeping my family's history. Of course, each of those entails something I have always liked, but more recently become um, well, a little addicted to - photography.

Growing up, we were all used to having the camera in our faces - mom was a great photographer. And I've watched my brother and sister both get really good over the past few years. Jon bought me my first DSLR for Christmas of 07 and since then, the addiction has just been growing. I obviously have much to learn and I spend a lot of time reading field guides, tutorials, and anything I can get my hands on. Not to mention - practice, practice, practice.

I am often reminded of President Uchtdorf's statement in conference last fall about finding something and beautifying it. I think right now, photography is what I am doing to beautify that creative (and a tiny bit addictive) little corner in my life.

My sis and I entered an online contest (she made top ten her first time - way to go Ames!) and we'll see Monday how this one turns out. Here's the shot I entered for the black and white entry. The other one is just some more "practice" of my most cooperative model.

We Love Visitors

I thought by now we would be out enjoying the parks and spending our days outside, but alas, this cold winter continues. That's when it's nice to have some visitors. Brooke and Kate came to hang out yesterday and made our day much warmer and brighter! Thanks for the visit, gals, we love ya!

What We've Been Up To Today

Baby Z has been working on the two-finger suck,

and the three-finger suck.

Luke has been up to no good, his impish little look here. Actually, he's been a sweetie, just a teeny tiny bit of tormenting the little brothers today!

Then there's Harry - need I really say more? I found him washing his face in the bathroom. He had a little too much fun with my pen and was trying to clean it up. Good thing we're not taking any family pictures this weekend. My sweet little stinker.

Draper Temple Open House

Last Saturday, we went to the Draper Temple open house with my sister and her family. The kids were great, considering all the waiting around and walking slowly. The temple was beautiful and I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to share it with our boys. Their favorite room was the baptistry - not a surprise with the Oxen and all! Thanks Amy and Scott, for coming with us and making it a very pleasant Saturday afternoon. (The wind was picking up and my hair sure turned out stupid, but it's nice to have the pictures nonetheless!)

Photo Blog

I finally did it - I started a photography blog. Here it is if you wanna check it out.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Fun in the Playroom

As you may already have figured out, we have been playing an awful lot of Mariocart lately. The other day I fed the baby and said I would watch the boys play when I was done. I had Z all wrapped up in his favorite blanket from Aunt Amy and when he was done eating, the boys talked me into joining them, and I had nowhere to put him.

The floor was covered with the toys Harry had dumped out of his basket, and I didn't feel like cleaning it up, so I put the baby in the basket. He was so happy, I had to run and get the camera to capture his joy. Here are some of the shots.

Harry's Answers

1. What is something mom always says to you?
nothing (wow!)
2. What makes mom happy?
baby zachary
3. What makes mom sad?
spiderman (ok?)
4. How does your mom make you laugh?
mickey mouse makes me laugh
5. What was your mom like as a child?
Jade
6. How old is your mom?
3
7. How tall is your mom?
six
8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Nothing
9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
She plays with scissors
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
being a good mom
11. What is your mom really good at?
Reading
12. What is your mom not very good at?
Mariocart
13. What does your mom do for a job?
Lukie, me, and baby Zachary
14.What is your mom's favorite food?
cereal
15.What makes you proud of your mom?
Nothing (this must be his theme!)
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Minnie Mouse
17. What do you and your mom do together?
play
18. How are you and your mom the same?
cute
19. How are you and your mom different?
eyes
20. How do you know your mom loves you?
she tells me
21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
Everything
22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
IKEA (smart kid)

Kids Say Funny Things

I did this on Facebook today and thout it would be a fun to stick on the blog.

If you feel like it - copy this and do it with your own kids...it's pretty funny - Luke definitely has a one track mind.

1. What is something mom always says to you?
I love you

2. What makes mom happy?
helping you

3. What makes mom sad?
not helping you

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
telling me funny jokes

5. What was your mom like as a child?
me, Harry, and Zachary

6. How old is your mom?
31 or 32 (I'm 33)

7. How tall is your mom?
12 feet

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Play mariocart with me

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
Do work in the house

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
Mariocart (sensing a theme here?)

11. What is your mom really good at?
Doing the password on daddy's computer

12. What is your mom not very good at?
Mariocart

13. What does your mom do for a job?
Work in the house

14.What is your mom's favorite food?
edamame

15.What makes you proud of your mom?
she helps me when I am sad

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Francine from Arthur

17. What do you and your mom do together?
you earn stuff on Mariocart

18. How are you and your mom the same?
our face?

19. How are you and your mom different?
eyes

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
By all the kindness to me

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
Everything

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
Disneyland

one last picture

There are actually a lot more great pictures that Amy took, and I just couldn't post them all. However, this one just needed to be shared.

more photos

As promised.... for more, check out Amy's blog.

Pets

Last night we were talking about pets. The conversation went something like this.

Luke: I really want a turtle named Butterscotch.

Mom: I really want a miniature schnauzer puppy.

Harry: I really want a LION!

Photo Shoot with Aunt Amy

Baby Z had a photo shoot with Aunt Amy on Saturday. I love that she and I share a love for photography and I especially love that she's willing to take lots of pictures of my kiddos since they generally don't really behave for me!

I'll post a bunch of the photos tomorrow. Thanks Ames!

A Very Special Day

We blessed Baby Z today and it was a perfect day. He was in such a sweet mood during church and smiled all day. He was blessed to be a missionary throughout his life and to have the health and strength he needs to perform great works, among other wonderful blessings. Many family members and friends shared in our day and I want to thank everyone who came. It was a wonderful, very special day.

10-Minute Trainer

I have to share our latest fitness fad. Jon and I used some Christmas money from his folks to try to get ourselves back in shape. We bought the 10-minute Trainer with Tony Horton. He's the same trainer as the intense P90x program we've done in the past. Because I went from sick with Mono to sick with pregnant last year, I am in the worst shape of my three pregnancies and I needed something a little less intense than the hour-long high intensity of P90x.

We started the workouts a couple weeks ago and I am really enjoying them, but the best thing so far is what we started last Thursday. With the program comes this "Lean Jean Plan" and by eating a low-calorie-low-carb diet for ten days, you're supposed to drop a jean size. I am the ultimate skeptic because I don't lose a pound while I am breastfeeding, and I have tried EVERYTHING. I really didn't expect anything to work for me, but it was worth a shot.

I'm seven days into the diet and exercise program today and am elated to report a SIX POUND LOSS! I still have like 25 to go, but even one pound is a major victory with me during the first few months after baby. And the best part is we're eating REALLY healthy and we'll just add more healthy calories after the ten days.

Pay It Forward....

I've seen these going around and my friend Mandy is the one who inspired me to share in the love. People are making handmade beautiful, creative, amazing things, and sharing them with their readers, on the condition that we all pay it forward and share with our own friends and family.

So I got thinking, what on earth could I share? I'm not good at handmade things, although I did learn how to make some dang cute aprons this fall and I still have two of the original four to finish! I don't make cute hats or bags, or even jewelry. But digitally, I can create.

So here's the deal - the first three people to comment will receive something from me in the next six months, but before you comment, write on your blog on how you will pay it forward and then let me know what you will be doing in your comment. Now, what do you get from me? You choose one from these two options:

1. I'll take pictures for you (babies, kids, family, whatever - you decide)

2. I'll make you personalized, invitations for a birthday, baby announcement, Christmas cards, whatever you choose (If you want to see lots of samples, email me at jandkfuller@msn.com and I'll send you a link.)

So there you go. Have fun!

What Were We Thinking?!

We scheduled the blessing for Baby Z next week, and then realized it's Daylight Savings. Spring Forward means our church is really at 8:00a.m. that day. Maybe they'll let us bless him at the end of Sacrament meeting! We haven't been on time ONCE yet this year!


On a much less stressful note, look at this adorable burpie my sister made me. She got a new sewing machine and I am honored to receive her first project. You can't see it very well in the picture, but she did a cute heart top-stitch. So fun! Thanks Ames!

Mr. Two Months

We took Baby Z to the doctor for his two month check up this week and unlike the other two, I am going to do a better job documenting his measurements. He's more similar to Luke's size, if I correctly recall, and that would mean he's just a big little guy.

Length: 26 inches, off the chart

Weight: 13.6 lbs, 90th percentile

Head: 50th percentile

Touchstone Crystal Party

Last night I threw a little jewelry open house for my sister's new business - Touchstone Crystal (check out her website) and I thought I should offer my blogging friends the opportunity to see this pretty stuff too. It's so sparkly and unique. Anyway, if you are interested in ordering anything or hosting your own show, email me at jandkfuller@msn.com before Saturday night.

Thanks to everyone who made it last night. I loved just hanging with some gals and no boys for a change!!